As a regular cystitis sufferer, I am used to urine infections, but since being diagnosed with prediabetes in October, I have had 4. After the one I got in early February I decided to take cranberry capsules (sugar free) and thought things were improving until yesterday when I started with yet another uti. I have upped my water intake over the past few months which I thought had helped. I recently had Covid so don't know if that had an effect but glucose levels seemed higher than normal. Does anyone else have regular infections? Antibiotics seem to do the trick quickly but don't stop them coming back after a couple of months? Would be interested to know if anything works for others?
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Recurrent urine infections
- Thread starter Aneeta55
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Leadinglights
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It is important to get the correct antibiotic for UTI as they can be caused by different bacteria depending on where it is in the urinary tract. It is worth asking the GP for them to send the sample to the lab.
High glucose levels makes people more prone to both bacterial and yeast infections so important to have that under control.
High glucose levels makes people more prone to both bacterial and yeast infections so important to have that under control.
Thank you for your replies. I've been given Nitrofuritoin which usually works well. They have sent a sample to lab on a previous occasion but this was at end of treatment to make sure it had gone away. Normally I do a dip test to see what shows up. It's difficult when it's a telephone appointment, they just seem to want to make sure it's not kidney related symptoms and tell you to ring back if anything worsens. In the past I've had referrals to urology and had my ureatha stretched twice as it is narrow . I just wondered how other people coped with it.
rebrascora
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Hi.
Sorry to hear that you are suffering with recurring problems with cystitis/UTIs. That must be rather uncomfortable.
When was your last HbA1c test and what was the result?
Do you test your BG levels at home? If so, what sort of levels are you seeing?
I wonder if having Covid has changed the situation with your diabetes and you need a change of management strategy.... possibly medication or a revision of your diet since you mention that your glucose levels are higher than normal. That may be putting you at increased risk of UTIs so focusing on keeping good control of your BG levels will be an important factor in reducing the risk of infections reoccurring.
What sort of dietary advice are you following for your "at risk of diabetes" diagnosis?
If you haven't had a review of your diabetes recently by your GP practice then it might be worth getting that checked out as that would be the most likely cause of recurring UTIs in someone with a diabetes predisposition and Covid can certainly adversely impact your diabetes.
I definitely think your situation warrants an appointment with your GP to investigate further as it sounds like you have been doing all the preventative things you can via home remedies.
Sorry to hear that you are suffering with recurring problems with cystitis/UTIs. That must be rather uncomfortable.
When was your last HbA1c test and what was the result?
Do you test your BG levels at home? If so, what sort of levels are you seeing?
I wonder if having Covid has changed the situation with your diabetes and you need a change of management strategy.... possibly medication or a revision of your diet since you mention that your glucose levels are higher than normal. That may be putting you at increased risk of UTIs so focusing on keeping good control of your BG levels will be an important factor in reducing the risk of infections reoccurring.
What sort of dietary advice are you following for your "at risk of diabetes" diagnosis?
If you haven't had a review of your diabetes recently by your GP practice then it might be worth getting that checked out as that would be the most likely cause of recurring UTIs in someone with a diabetes predisposition and Covid can certainly adversely impact your diabetes.
I definitely think your situation warrants an appointment with your GP to investigate further as it sounds like you have been doing all the preventative things you can via home remedies.
PattiEvans
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Hi and welcome @Aneeta55
@rebrascora is quite right about high BGs causing UTIs or at least making them more likely as there is so much sugar in the urine and bacteria loves that environment. Also, it appears, Covid can cause T2 ina significant number of sufferers, so I second the suggestion you go and get another blood test from your GP to ensure you have not "tipped over" into fully blown T2.
@rebrascora is quite right about high BGs causing UTIs or at least making them more likely as there is so much sugar in the urine and bacteria loves that environment. Also, it appears, Covid can cause T2 ina significant number of sufferers, so I second the suggestion you go and get another blood test from your GP to ensure you have not "tipped over" into fully blown T2.
Hi there
My last blood test was in Feb and was 42. It has gone down from 43 in Oct, so in prediabetes range. I have reduced my carb intake and bought a glucose monitor. Before covid, my fasting levels (in morning) were around 5.6 sometimes a bit more and just in the pre diabetic range. Before meals they varied from 5.6 to 6.5 then 2 hours after were raised, sometimes in normal ranges and sometimes in pre diabetes range. The highest I've had 2 hours after a meal was 9.6 but that was before I started counting carbs. I stopped taking them during Covid as they seemed higher and because fatigue hit me badly I thought the high levels were more likely to lack of exercise. My weight is fine although have lost 7lbs since counting carbs. I'm currently 9st 9lbs. My GP has referred me to a diabetes prevention program and seems happy with the fact I am taking my own steps to lower my levels through lifestyle. I am quite active for 66 so if it wasn't for the utis I would be happy. My bg levels since testing negative seem to be lower again. Perhaps Covid affected my system and I just need to get back to normal. My blood test will not be repeated till December.
rebrascora
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At those levels then the UTIs are almost certainly not BG related.
I have had a touch of cystitis recently and my levels are really good at the moment so not diabetes related. Two things which seem to be impacting it for me are....
1. I changed my shower gel recently as I couldn't get my regular one and there must be something in the new one that that part of my body is particularly sensitive to...
2. Having lost weight recently, I have tightened my belt on my jeans which has perhaps lifted them slightly and is causing a bit of chafing and making me more sensitive and the tissue there inflamed. I also horse ride which again, once "sensitive" doesn't help. The rule of loose fitting garments for cystitis isn't always possible, especially with my lifestyle..... Not sure mucking out in wellies and a skirt is entirely practical and certainly not riding!!
I don't know if any of those scenarios might be applicable to you or give you other ideas of things to consider which may be affecting you. It could even be a food intolerance if you are eating something now since you have changed your diet.
I do think that repeated antibiotics is reactive instead of proactive and when it is a persistent problem then pushing for more investigation would not be unreasonable with a view to hopefully prevention rather than just treating them, so a trip back to the GP would be in order.
I have had a touch of cystitis recently and my levels are really good at the moment so not diabetes related. Two things which seem to be impacting it for me are....
1. I changed my shower gel recently as I couldn't get my regular one and there must be something in the new one that that part of my body is particularly sensitive to...
2. Having lost weight recently, I have tightened my belt on my jeans which has perhaps lifted them slightly and is causing a bit of chafing and making me more sensitive and the tissue there inflamed. I also horse ride which again, once "sensitive" doesn't help. The rule of loose fitting garments for cystitis isn't always possible, especially with my lifestyle..... Not sure mucking out in wellies and a skirt is entirely practical and certainly not riding!!
I don't know if any of those scenarios might be applicable to you or give you other ideas of things to consider which may be affecting you. It could even be a food intolerance if you are eating something now since you have changed your diet.
I do think that repeated antibiotics is reactive instead of proactive and when it is a persistent problem then pushing for more investigation would not be unreasonable with a view to hopefully prevention rather than just treating them, so a trip back to the GP would be in order.
You could be right regarding the clothing. I do like skinny jeans !! I will think about having a meaningful discussion with GP. I guess it scares me in case I have to go through the very painful camera in bladder again which was a nightmare in the past especially with a narrow water passage. Antibiotics is a quick fix but I do know it's not the answer. I'll just have to pluck up courage and if I get a referral, just grit my teeth !!
zippyjojo
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I'm not sure if this will help, but following my splenectomy in November I have to take penicillin twice a day (prophylactic dose). As a result I had quite few episodes of thrush. On speaking to a dietician friend of mine I started taking daily probiotics (I take Symprove which apparently is one of only a couple which actually get to the gut according to her which was according to research done at UCL and Kings College). I'm now in my 13th week and haven't had an episode since about week 6. So to cut a long and very boring story short, have you thought about probiotics to sort out your good bacteria?
rebrascora
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Yes, skinny jeans here are definitely not helping and could be contributing.
Can totally understand your reticence to have that procedure repeated. Might be worth a wardrobe rethink and see how that goes for a couple of months. I think once it is aggravated it takes time to settle down and the least irritation can cause a flare up. At least we are coming into warmer weather when lighter more airy clothing is more comfortable, even if it means deforesting legs 😉 🙄 and digging out the fake tan for my lily whites!!
The Cranberry capsules I take are supposed to contain probiotics but I guess it can't harm anything to try more. Glad your thrush has improved. Thank you for your reply.
I had that problem too. After 3 episodes of UTI, and the antibiotics, I took a probiotic specifically for UTIs from the Natural Dispensary. I reckoned that the antibiotics had killed off all the good bacteria as well as the bad so I needed to build them up again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but so far no recurrence.....
Leadinglights
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I only need 1 penicillin tablet to give me thrush. The antibiotic you have been taking is one specifically for lower UTI infection as it passes quickly into the area where it is needed but if you were drinking a lot it may be flushed out too quickly so isn't doing the job properly. Of course the particular bacteria causing the infection may be resistant to the antibiotic especially if you have had repeated prescriptions of the same one.
My OH had that one when he had a UTI from having a catheter but because it would not stay in the system long enough because of the catheter he was given something else as they said it was more of a bladder infection.
My OH had that one when he had a UTI from having a catheter but because it would not stay in the system long enough because of the catheter he was given something else as they said it was more of a bladder infection.
trophywench
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Nice baggy below the knee length skirt and no knickers. TMI but I always found it helped, even though 'ageing hippy' was never my favourite style!
rebrascora
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Really doesn't work for horse riding though 😱 .... unless side saddle.... but those saddles cost thousands and are like gold dust. Then you have to train your horse to be ridden in them and by then I am sure mine will have cleared up.
Of course the OP will be unlikely to have that issue. I do agree though that a bit of air around the nether regions will usually help.
Mrs Mimoo
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If you feel the treatment you are receiving is not working, you may need to be referred to a urology clinic - after a lot of UTIs in 2019 I finally was treated for 6 months on antibiotics. UTIs can be long lasting in women especially, and often GPs fob you off with a weeks antibiotics when long term treatment is needed, with months of antibiotics and a drug called Hiprex, which helps to acidify your urine and kill off long standing bacteria. Or or doctors tell you you have 'interstitial cystitis' which is as far as i can see is a made up thing when they don't know how to treat you.
Worth reading up on the late Professor Malone-Lee's work on lower urinary tract infections and explanation for why NHS tests are not accurate, and his unique approach to treatment. I had a UTI for a year once (before I got diabetes) and had to be referred to UCLH who were amazing. The Prof was an NHS specialist for 30 year then went private; now Professor Malone-Lee's son practices on Harley Street and this practice has many specialists if you need to see them. Otherwise please get referred not fobbed off. With care.
Professor Malone-Lee on Chronic UTI Treatment
Professor Malone-Lee uses patient symptoms and fresh urine microscopy to guide chronic UTI treatment. Watch the interview to learn more.
liveutifree.com
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Mrs Mimoo
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Often the NHS urine uti tests don't work as they are looking to culture bacteria. Instead they need to look for white blood cells and signs of bladder cells which indicate a silent infection. It is more useful to treat symptoms with Nitrofurantoin, Cefelexin or Co amoxiclav for 2 weeks at full strength, and then put you on a maintenance dose for 3/4 months. I am now an expert in this having had it four times in 10 years. Best of luck.
Thank you for your interesting information. I will start asking questions and try to get some answers.
I appreciate everyone's help.
Mrs Mimoo
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Many GPs know very little about UTI treament in women over 40, I found reading up on Prof Malone Lee's work helped me get a proper treatment. I wish you all the best with this from experience! x
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